Kitchen makeover: California-cool

Modern kitchen palette

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Image by: Style at Home
By: Laura Muir
Source: Stacey Brandford

A grey, black and white palette creates striking contrast in the kitchen and works with its warm and bright California modern aesthetic. Stacy keeps items like linens and dishes in the island’s cupboards. “We talked about having seating at the island, but we didn’t have enough space, so we just made it into storage,” she says.

White and grey cabinetry

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Image by: Style at Home
By: Laura Muir
Source: Stacey Brandford

A mix of white and grey IKEA cabinetry offers a look that's both modern and warm. The grey-painted Shaker-style cupboards sit flush with the quartz kitchen countertop, which was installed through IKEA. The grey gables on either side of the pantry area give the kitchen a custom look.

Herringbone backsplash

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Image by: Style at Home
By: Laura Muir
Source: Stacey Brandford

Grey concrete backsplash tiles laid in a herringbone pattern create a dramatic focal point in the kitchen. The irregularity of the tiles has a beautiful, rustic appearance.

Natural lighting

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Image by: Style at Home
By: Laura Muir
Source: Stacey Brandford

Two sets of French doors, which replaced sliding ones, lead to the backyard deck. Yellow silk drapery adds a hit of colour to the neutral space. "I didn't go for Roman blinds because I wanted something more dramatic," says Stacy.

Indoor greenery

Eating nook

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Image by: Style at Home
By: Laura Muir
Source: Stacey Brandford

The eating nook’s banquette, which is softened with a kid-friendly laminated linen seat cushion, provides another opportunity for storage. “I keep things like kids’ toys and placemats in the cupboards underneath,” says Stacy. The table, with a grey metal base that works with the kitchen’s palette, is surrounded by iconic (and very durable) Tolix A dining chairs.